Prevalle (Budellone): 1,700 Paleolithic Finds Recovered in Two Weeks

Prevalle (Budellone): 1,700 Paleolithic Finds Recovered in Two Weeks

The Budellone site in Prevalle (Brescia) continues to be a key location for Paleolithic research. During the recent spring excavations archaeologists recovered approximately 1,700 artifacts in just 14 days, bringing the site's total to nearly 6,000 finds since excavations began.

The assemblage is dominated by faunal remains and lithic artifacts. Finds include deer, marmot, wolf and small rodent bones, together with numerous flint tools. Preliminary assessments date some occupations to roughly 50,000–80,000 years ago, pending confirmation from laboratory analyses.

• Find types: animal bones, flint tools, and human-related elements documented in earlier campaigns.
• Chronology: indications of Middle Paleolithic presence; further testing required to refine dates.
• Notable previous discoveries: a phalanx attributed to a young Neanderthal and a human molar found in earlier seasons.

Project coordination and next steps

Fieldwork is coordinated by MAVS of Gavardo under the scientific direction of Marco Baioni. The multidisciplinary team includes researchers, technicians, volunteers and university students participating in training projects. Planned analyses encompass DNA studies, advanced dating techniques and micromorphological investigations to better reconstruct the environmental and climatic context.

Excavations are scheduled to resume in the coming autumn season. Researchers call for enhanced protection of the area to safeguard its high scientific value and to support continued long-term study.

Practical information

• Location: Budellone, Prevalle (Brescia), Italy.
• Research status: ongoing; current results are preliminary and under specialist examination.
• Next excavation campaign: planned for autumn (exact dates to be announced).